Friday, 24 April 2015

I have been working on the settle I started over a year ago recently. It is taking a long time to make, but then it is a huge piece of furniture. I had a piece of oak roughed out for the last seat board in the autumn, but I have been busy doing other things.

On with planing to size.

Unlike it's sister settle that I started making at the same time, this one is designed for inside. I have decided to tongue and groove the seat boards, as they do not need to shed rainfall. I bought this tongueing plane a while ago, not having used one before, so thought I would give it a go.

The side of the iron furthest from the wedge did not appear to be sitting flat, and I was concerned it would not present a cutting edge to the oak. My worries were unfounded, because it cut like a dream.

I was then left with a second 'tongue' because my seat boards are 1 5/8" wide. I used my jointer at an angle, with the tongue as a guide, and brought it flat to the shoulder as I removed the oak.

I might finish it one day soon. Then off to take it on it's progress to the Bodgers' Ball in May. The Weald and Downland Open Air Museum Wood Fair 20-21 June and Blackdown Wood Fair 3-4 July.